Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria — The killing of a traditional community leader in central Nigeria has triggered anger and concern among residents and lawmakers in Benue State after armed men abducted and murdered the monarch earlier in March.
Zaki Sughter Agamber, the traditional ruler of Mbajiir community in Tongov district of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area in Benue State, north-central Nigeria, was reportedly kidnapped by suspected gunmen on Thursday, March 6, 2026.
According to local sources, the attackers seized the monarch at his residence in Kam Village, also located in Tongov district. The abduction happened in the presence of his family members and immediately caused panic across the community.
Residents quickly began searching for the traditional leader after the incident, fearing for his safety. However, the search ended in tragedy.
Okay News reports that the lifeless body of Chief Agamber was discovered the following morning, Friday, March 7, 2026, in a nearby bush close to the community.
Local sources said the motive for the attack remains unknown, and no group has claimed responsibility for the killing.
The incident has provoked widespread condemnation across the state, including from the Benue State House of Assembly, the legislative arm of government responsible for making laws in Benue State.
During a plenary session presided over by the Speaker of the Assembly, Alfred Emberga, lawmakers strongly denounced the abduction and killing of the community leader. They described the act as barbaric and unacceptable.
Members of the Assembly warned that the killing represents a serious threat to traditional institutions and community leadership structures in the region.
Lawmakers called on Nigeria’s security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria’s domestic intelligence agency, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), a paramilitary organisation responsible for protecting critical infrastructure and supporting internal security operations, to intensify efforts to identify and arrest those responsible.
The Assembly passed the resolution after a motion of urgent public importance was presented by Bemdoo Ipusu, the lawmaker representing Katsina-Ala West constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly.
Presenting the motion, Ipusu informed fellow lawmakers that the traditional ruler was abducted by armed men at Kam Village on Friday, March 6, 2026.
“The Tor Sankera, the Ter Katsina-Ala, and the Chairmen of Katsina-Ala and Ukum Local Government Councils were immediately informed and made frantic efforts to secure his rescue, but unfortunately the efforts did not yield results,” he said.
He further told the Assembly that “on Saturday morning, March 7, the lifeless body of the traditional ruler was discovered in a nearby bush.”
During deliberations, lawmakers expressed deep concern about the worsening security situation affecting communities in parts of Benue State.
They warned that criminals who previously targeted ordinary citizens are increasingly extending attacks to traditional rulers, a development they said could undermine local governance and community stability.
The Assembly urged the Benue State Government and national security agencies to take urgent and decisive measures to address the growing security threats in rural communities and ensure the protection of traditional leaders.
